New Badass PCR Kits

We're probably all going to get heatstroke once that July sun hits, but we'll look badass . The jerseys have this funky mesh thing going on, so maybe they wont get too hot. And as Homer Simpson would say, "...this racing stripe here I feel is pretty sharp".

On the road again

Got out for my first ride in 8 days. Skipped the hammerfest and went solo for about 40 miles. Kept the watts mellow, felt surprisingly good. Nice to have the road bike back.

Whoo Hoo!!

I step outside with the dog for 5 minutes at lunch and Scholes knocks in the winner. At least I TiVoed it. We're in the finals!!!

Ride?

Can't decide what to do... Go on a 40 mile hill ride to Afton (just sitting in, no attacking) or just do an easy 2 hours solo. Today is the first day I've felt somewhat human in over a week. The lack of riding is killing me, but I don't want to push it either and get sick all over again.

What color is your phlegm??

I'm going with Pantone 368. Despite constantly horking up blobs of this color, I hit the trainer yesterday for 45 minutes and this morning for a half-hour spin. I missed 6 days of riding last week and have my first mtb race in 2 weeks. I'm pretty much screwed. A good reason not to pre-register for races too far in advance.

KWMRR

Ken Woods Memorial Road Race
Krappy Weather Means Rainy Ride
Kold Wet Monsoon Road Race
Ken Woods Means Rainy Race
Killer Winds Make Racing Rough
Keep Wishing Minnesota Road Race season wasn't in April.

Rain and accumulating snow forecast for tonight. Cloudy, windy and 38 degrees tomorrow. No thank you. I've done the epic weather races plenty of times. Dues paid. Sick already and off the bike for a week, so I'm sitting this one out.

That explains alot...

I brought my hardtail in for a tune-up and found out the rear hub was basically seized. So in effect I was riding with the brake on for who knows how long last season. I'm already slow, definitely don't need to make it worse. Anyway, I'm picking up the hardtail and the newly fixed and rebuilt road bike tonight. Now if my cold goes away and the weather clears I'm in business. I'm hoping to spin this weekend and hit the R&G ride Tuesday.

Illin

Got the road frame back today, just in time to get sick. I'm hoping it's just allergies, but it feels like I'm on the verge of a massive cold. Looking like no Ken Woods road race for me this weekend. No ride tonight either.

New Ride

Took the new rig out to Elk River today. Me likey.
First dirt ride of the year felt great, even if the legs didn't. Trail is in great shape, nice work by the Hillside Crew.
Good to see familiar faces, and a few new ones. Season starts in a month. Ouch.

New Rigs

Got 2 new rigs today.

The new Mac Pro for the office.
The new (well, just about new) KHS mtb. Thanks Wah!

Mac Pro is crazy fast, let's hope the mtb is too.

Mapmyride

Tuesday's windfest.

Group Ride

I rolled out with the hammerheads last night, a mountain bike amongst spanky light carbon fiber aero roadie rigs. It didn't last long. 30mph winds meant the gutterball was on. I was feeling okay, took my turn at the front, but the gaps were already forming behind me. When I swung off the front and dropped back, the attack was on. I got gapped and it was game over. Our group started 5 minutes after the first group. We had just caught them but it all got strung out and blown apart from the wind. I was able to pick off quite a few, but nobody was willing or able to work to catch up with the group. So basically it turned into a 25 mile time trial. The crosswinds would catch those fat tires and blow me off the road. Crazyness. All in all, I was happy with how the legs responded. Long ways to go before race day, but good to get the rust out.

Worked

Even after a recovery day I'm feeling worked. Gonna try to make the R&G ride tonight. I'll be on the mountain bike trying to hang with a bunch of time trialers and roadie hammerheads. If you ever did the Gopher Wheelmen ride back in the day, this one's just as fast, but not nearly as flat and usually longer. Route changes every week. It's either that or some solo hill/cruise intervals. Or maybe a nap...

Man Utd vs Arsenal

The Big One

The back line looked shaky at best (Wes Brown, please find a new team), Ronaldo was not at his best, Scholes and 3 Lung Park were terrible. But, despite all of that, we pulled out the 3 points. When Tevez and Anderson came on you could sense the change in attitude. Owen Hargreaves' free-kick winner was awesome. Where has he been all year? 4 matches left, with the probable title decider at Stamford Bridge in 2 weeks. It's gonna go down to the wire.

Miles

Spring is all about base miles. Saturday was cold, blustery and snowy, but at this point I'd rather ride into the 25 mph headwind for 45 minutes (and enjoy the 35 minute tailwind home) than ride one more minute on the trainer. Sunday was still a little chilly and windy, but sunny. Got 41 miles in, about 75 total for the weekend. All on the mtb.

Note to dumbass drivers: if you're going to mouth off to cyclists make sure you don't do it right before you come to a stoplight. I hope you enjoyed our conversation while waiting or the light to change. I sure did.

Just...can't...do it...

I skipped this morning's recovery ride and played with my son instead. Normally he naps while I'm on the trainer. Today he was wide awake and I just didn't have the energy or desire to get on the bike. Let's see, 45 minutes of drudgery in the basement on the trainer or hanging out with a super happy, giggling, playful little dude...

Spring?

Looks like I'll be on the trainer all weekend. Outstanding.

Statement as of 4:36 AM CDT on April 10, 2008

... Winter Storm Warning in effect from 4 PM this afternoon to
7 am CDT Saturday...

The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen has issued
a Winter Storm Warning... which is in effect from 4 PM this
afternoon to 7 am CDT Saturday. The Winter Storm Watch is no
longer in effect. This includes the Twin Cities metropolitan
area... Rice Lake and Ladysmith.

Precipitation will move into the area this morning and begin as a
mix of rain and snow. This mix will turn over to all snow this
afternoon and increase in intensity late this afternoon and this
evening when heavy snow is expected. However... the cutoff from
snow to rain will be in close proximity to southeastern portions
of the Twin Cities Metro area and along the Highway 8 corridor in
west central Wisconsin. These areas may see precipitation
oscillate between rain and snow... and possibly sleet... this
evening which will dramatically reduce snow accumulations.
Visibility in the heavy snow this evening will be reduced to a
quarter mile or less at times with the possibility of several
inches of snow accumulating over a short period of time. This will
make travel hazardous this evening and tonight. Snowfall intensity will
decrease Friday... but additional accumulation will occur.

Snowfall amounts from Gaylord to Minneapolis to Cambridge and
eastward to Rice Lake and Ladysmith are expected to range from 6
to 12 inches by Friday night... with lower amounts possible to the
southeast of this line where there is a better chance for mixed precipitation.

In addition to the snowfall accumulations... there will be very
strong northeast winds with speeds of 25 to 35 mph with higher gusts. This
will cause considerable blowing snow and poor visibility in open
areas Thursday night and Friday.

The heavy snow is in response to a low pressure system moving
northeast from the Southern Plains. The low pressure system is
forecast to reach southern Wisconsin by early Saturday.

A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow...
sleet... and ice are expected or occurring. Strong winds are also
possible. This will make travel very hazardous or impossible.

Weather

I'm trying to psych myself up for some hills tonight. It's very dreary: 40's, cloudy, windy and the threat of rain and/or snow. Tonight's ride better pay off during a race sometime later this year...

Urban Loop

I think I finally found a reasonable route to St. Paul and Minneapolis from my place. Traffic wasn't too bad until I hit Minneapolis. I couldn't take the Main St. shortcut under 35 since the bridge is under construction. So, from campus to the other side of Central was a bit heavy. But, you could ride across the river and use River Road up to Broadway, then cross over.

No Road Bike

Frame is on the way to Orbea for repair. Note to self, and anyone else who owns a Starship: do not use on a trainer. Apparently this is what causes the stays to work loose. Did 35 miles on the mtb today. Good ride, just not the same.

Houston, we have a problem...

When you're on the trainer and you smell smoke and suddenly come to a screeching halt, that either means your brain has finally fried from boredom or something has seriously malfunctioned. The carbon seatstays have pulled out on both sides. Just in time for spring. At least it happened in the basement and not during a race, or the seatstays aren't the only things that would have separated.